Prophecy 2

Isaiah 9:6-7

So often at Christmas some of our preparation is to buy a pack of batteries. We get them because we know that some of the gifts we will be giving will require those batteries. We get the batteries because we know what the gift is even though the one receiving it has not opened it yet.

The prophet Isaiah had a message from God about what was coming in the future. What was coming? What is said about this child who is given?

This passage does more than just give hope about what might some day happen. The prophet describes what will happen using words that imply it has already happened.

“To us a child is born, to us a son is given.” These seem to be more than words that predict the future. They come across as statements of fact. The child is born. The son is given.

These words were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem and yet they were exactly true. God had imparted His plan to the prophet and the prophet knew in his heart that God would carry through on this plan. The birth and life of Jesus was in the works from the beginning of time. God was already preparing to give a gift that would save us all.

And it was no small gift. Jesus would take on the authority over all the world. He would come to reign as our Savior and Lord from his birth, to today, and on into the future. He would be and is the Mighty God, Prince of Peace.

We know the celebration of Christmas is coming. We may know what we are giving as gifts. We may even know what we might be receiving as a gift. But what we must remember as we celebrate Christmas is that this precious gift of Christ was planned by God for millennia. He had decided to save us and give us everlasting life for thousands of years before we even existed.

As we celebrate the gift let us also celebrate the love behind the gift. It is a love from God that has been there for a long time and will remain there for even longer.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you remember the reason for the gift of Jesus this year?

Give 3

Isaiah 9:6-7

Last year we gave our daughter a Nintendo DS. It is a hand-held game device, something she can carry with her almost everywhere and play games. At first it may appear to be one of those devices which foster being isolated and alone. She can be entertained all by herself.

But one interesting part of the game device is that most of the games can be shared with others who also have a Nintendo DS. If someone else has a device and the same game the game can be shared. One of the games she was given is also a game that others can play when our daughter isn’t using the DS.

Because of that Peggy and our son have been involved in the game, and their involvement has fostered times of sharing and talking.

From this small game device that seems like an isolated object, sharing and fun has spread and spread and spread over time.

The prophet Isaiah had predicted the coming of the Messiah, presenting a message of hope and anticipation to the faithful. What gift was expected? What are the titles given to Jesus? What was expected of Jesus?

The baby prophesied in Isaiah was not a person who would appear briefly and then be lost over time. This Messiah who was anticipated would become a great and powerful influence. The baby born in Bethlehem would grow to be the Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace for all who believe. He was the Mighty God who would become a very part of who we are.

The gift of Jesus was an everlasting gift, not something temporary. The gift of a Savior would impact all of life and all who believed from that time on into eternity.

The gift we celebrate at Christmas is not a gift just for one day or one year or even one lifetime. The gift of Christ is a gift for all time. And the gift of God’s love is not a gift we selfishly cling to. It is a gift of love and peace that has no end, a gift to be shared with all.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to be part of the increase of Christ’s government and peace?

Wonderful Counselor 1

Isaiah 9:6-7

The season of Advent is the season of waiting, expecting and anticipating. It reminds us of the long wait that the world had for the coming of the Messiah. The prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of this great Savior. But the question was, who would this Messiah be?

This passage from Isaiah answers the question. Who is the Messiah? What all is said of this Messiah?

More than two-thousand years after that first Christmas we know who the Savior was. The Son of God, as predicted here, was born to set everyone free from sin and oppression. This was a tremendous gift from God. It was a perfect act of perfect love meant to bring us into the presence of the Almighty.

This small infant born in such unassuming circumstances would become the fulfillment of this familiar prophecy. Jesus was the wonderful Counselor. He was the Mighty God, everlasting Father and the Prince of peace. But what do all of these terms mean to us?

As a counselor Jesus is that companion and advisor who accompanies us on our journey in life. This concept separates belief in Christ with all the other religions. Our God is not a deity who looks down from the heavens at us as if we were small creatures under his inspection. Rather, God is among us, beside us, with us. He is that companion who is there to assist and comfort by being ever present.

We can turn to Jesus as we can turn to any counselor, seeking immediate help and advice. Christ is beside us always to offer guidance and strength. God is present at all times and we are not alone.

And this counselor of ours, able to take his place among us mortals, is still a powerful force. Our world may be divided into nations, each with its own authority. But the government of life is on the shoulders of Christ our King.

His kingdom is forever and encompasses all who live. Jesus rules us with justice and righteousness, now and forever. And that great Savior, that perfect expression of God’s love, is beside us as an everlasting companion.

Our wait is over because it never was. Jesus is there for us when we are ready to accept him and embrace him as our counselor and guide. And this is the reason for celebrating Christmas, remembering that God came down in human form to be among those He loved so much.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What name would you give to describe Jesus?